US20030179589A1 - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents
Vehicle headlamp Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030179589A1 US20030179589A1 US10/383,325 US38332503A US2003179589A1 US 20030179589 A1 US20030179589 A1 US 20030179589A1 US 38332503 A US38332503 A US 38332503A US 2003179589 A1 US2003179589 A1 US 2003179589A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- reflector
- bulb
- shade
- vehicle headlamp
- socket base
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
- F21S45/40—Cooling of lighting devices
- F21S45/47—Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
- F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
- F21S41/19—Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
- F21S41/196—Wire spring attachments
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
- F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
- F21S41/43—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades characterised by the shape thereof
- F21S41/435—Hoods or cap-shaped
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
- F21S45/30—Ventilation or drainage of lighting devices
- F21S45/33—Ventilation or drainage of lighting devices specially adapted for headlamps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
- F21S45/40—Cooling of lighting devices
- F21S45/47—Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
- F21S45/48—Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings with means for conducting heat from the inside to the outside of the lighting devices, e.g. with fins on the outer surface of the lighting device
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V9/00—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters
- F21V9/08—Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
- F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
- F21S41/47—Attachment thereof
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
- F21S41/50—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
- F21S41/55—Attachment thereof
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
- F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
- F21S41/63—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
- F21S41/635—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on refractors, filters or transparent cover plates by moving refractors, filters or transparent cover plates
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp and more particularly to a vehicle headlamp that has a cap-shaped shade covering the light bulb.
- a cap-shaped shade In a vehicle headlamp, in order to block the light directed forward from the light bulb and the light which is difficult to control and becomes glare light, a cap-shaped shade is employed.
- the cap-shaped shade is provided so as to cover the front end portion of the light bulb.
- the light bulb used in a vehicle headlamp becomes considerably high temperature when it is lit.
- the heat generated when the lamp is on is normally released by convection, radiation and the like.
- the cap-shaped shade is used and the front end portion of the bulb is covered by shade, the heat tends to remain in an area covered by the shade, and the stored heat increases the temperature of the bulb even further.
- the life of the bulb is shortened.
- a unique structure of the present for a vehicle headlamp that comprises: a lamp body which has a concave portion with its front face opened, a front cover which covers the front opening of the lamp body, a reflector which is tiltably installed in the lamp body, a bulb which is supported by the reflector, and a capshaped shade which blocks the light emitted directly from the bulb so that the bulb light is not directly irradiated at least forward; and in the present invention, the reflector has an air ventilation hole which is formed in an area that is on a peripheral edge of a bulb mounting portion of the reflector and is on an inner side, when viewed from the front, of the outer edge of the shade.
- FIG. 1 shows in cross-section the vehicle headlamp according to one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main portion of the vehicle headlamp
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main portion
- FIG. 4 is a rear view of the main portion
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4.
- the vehicle headlamp 1 is comprised of a lamp body 2 , a translucent front cover 3 , and a reflector 5 .
- the lamp body 2 has a concave area with its front face opened.
- a lamp space 4 is defined by the lamp body 2 and the translucent front cover 3 that covers the front opening of the lamp body 2 , and the reflector 5 is installed in the lamp space 4 in a tiltable manner.
- the reflector 5 includes a bulb mounting portion 6 that is at substantially the center of the rear portion of the reflector 5 .
- the bulb mounting portion 6 is comprised of a substantially circular reflector opening 7 , which is formed in the reflector 5 , and a socket base 8 , which is attached to the reflector 5 so as to cover the reflector opening 7 except for a peripheral area of the opening 7 .
- the socket base 8 includes a cylindrical section 11 , which is formed by pressing a metal sheet into a cylindrical shape, and a pressing spring 12 , which is attached to this cylindrical section 11 .
- the cylindrical section 11 has a length that is short in the axial direction than its diameter.
- the rear end portion 11 a of the cylindrical section 11 has a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of a front end portion 11 b , which is in front of the rear end portion 11 a .
- a front portion 13 is formed so as to cover the entire front face of the cylindrical section 11 , and a substantially rectangular insertion hole 13 a is formed in this front portion 13 .
- positioning protrusions 14 a and 14 b are formed so as to protrude in an embossing manner and to come close to each other.
- a plurality of engagement openings 15 are formed at certain intervals in the circumferential direction.
- mounting legs 16 From portions which are positioned on opposite sides of the rear end of the cylindrical section 11 , mounting legs 16 extend so as to protrude rearward. Rear end portions of the mounting legs 16 are bent in opposite directions (or bent outward) so as to form mounting pieces 16 a . In the mounting pieces 16 a , screw insertion holes 16 b are formed.
- an engagement piece 17 is provided so as to protrude rearward; and at another one of such positions, a spring supporter 18 is formed.
- the rear end portion 17 a of the engagement piece 17 is bent so as to extend along the substantially circumferential direction.
- the engagement piece 17 thus forms an L-shape.
- An engagement concave portion 17 b is formed on the front edge of the rear end portion 17 a.
- the pressing spring 12 is formed by a wire spring, and two pressing arms 19 and 20 protrude from both ends of the intermediate portion 21 of the pressing spring 12 and extend in the same direction.
- the tip end of the pressing ann 19 has an engagement arm 22 that is substantially in a V-shape with respect to the pressing arm 19 .
- the intermediate portion 21 of the pressing spring 12 is attached to the root area of the spring supporter 18 in the inner surface of the cylindrical section 11 , and the spring supporter 18 is bent so as to make a contact with an inner side of the cylindrical section 11 .
- the pressing spring 12 is, at its intermediate portion 21 , thus rotatably supported by the spring supporter 18 .
- a bulb 23 is comprised of a glass bulb 25 having a filament 24 inside and a base portion 26 ; and a flange 27 which is substantially circular when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the bulb 23 protrudes outwardly between the glass bulb 25 and the base portion 26 . At diametrically opposite positions on its outer edge, the flange 27 has engagement notches 27 a and 27 b.
- the bulb 23 is attached to the socket based 8 .
- the glass bulb 25 of the bulb 23 is inserted forward through the insertion hole 13 a formed in the front portion 13 of the socket base 8 .
- the engagement notches 27 a and 27 b of the bulb 23 are aligned with the positioning protrusions 14 a and 14 b of the socket base 8 , the glass bulb 25 protrudes forward from the front portion 13 .
- the flange 27 is brought to contact with the rear face of the front portion 13 of the socket base 8 with the engagement notches 27 a and 27 b being engaged with the positioning protrusions 14 a and 14 b and positioned around the axis of the bulb 23 by the socket base 8 .
- the pressing spring 12 is rotated forward such that the front ends of the two pressing arms 19 and 20 contact with the positions on both sides of the base portion 26 on the rear surface of the flange 27 of the bulb 23 .
- a portion which is closer to the tip end of the engagement arm 22 is locked at the engagement concave portion 17 b of the engagement piece 17 of the socket base 8 while bending the engagement arm 22 forward (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
- the pressing arms 19 and 20 are elastically put in contact with the rear surface of the flange 27 of the bulb 23 , and the bulb 23 is supported or held by the socket base 8 .
- a glove 28 which is colored, is held by the socket base 8 .
- the colored glove 28 is formed in a substantially cylindrical form using a colored-transparent material.
- the rear end portion 28 a of the colored glove 28 is formed so that its diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the front side portion 28 b .
- the diameter of the portion (intermediate portion) 28 c between the rear end portion 28 a and the front side portion 28 b gradually changes (so as to become larger) from the front side portion 28 b toward the rear end portion 28 a .
- the vehicle headlamp 1 of the shown embodiment is a fog lamp for an automobile as described above, and thus the colored glove 28 is yellow colored-transparent.
- the colored glove 28 when the present invention is applied to a lamp other than a fog lamp, the colored glove 28 is not necessary; and even when the colored glove 28 is necessary, it may be colored-transparent in a color other than yellow. In some cases, the glove is not colored-transparent, and a membrane that has a permeability such as an infrared permeable membrane can be formed in the glove.
- the colored glove 28 is attached to the socket base 8 using a tightening ring 29 .
- the tightening ring 29 is formed from a metal plate and in a cylindrical shape whose length is shorter in the axial direction than in the diametrical direction.
- the front end portion 29 a is tapered so that the diameter gradually becomes smaller toward the front end.
- the internal diameter of a portion of the tightening ring 29 except for the front portion 29 a is equal to the external diameter of the rear end portion 28 a of the colored glove 28 .
- the inner face of the front end portion 29 a of the tightening ring 29 is shaped so that it fits an outer face of the intermediate portion 28 c of the colored glove 28 .
- the tightening ring 29 is fitted on the colored glove 28 from the front side of the colored glove 28 so that the front end portion 29 a comes into contact with the intermediate portion 28 c of the colored glove 28 .
- the tightening ring 29 is externally fitted on the cylindrical section 11 of the socket base 8 . Accordingly, with the rear end of the colored glove 28 being in contact with the front face of the front portion 13 of the cylindrical section 11 of the socket base 8 , the rear end edge of the tightening ring 29 is positioned so as to cover most of the engagement openings 15 of the cylindrical section 11 .
- the portions 29 b which are facing the engagement openings 15 on the rear end edge of the tightening ring 29 are swaged so as to be pushed into the engagement openings 15 .
- the tightening ring 29 is thus attached to the socket base 8 , and the colored glove 28 is held by the socket base 8 by the tightening ring 29 .
- the colored glove 28 is positioned so as to surround the periphery of the glass bulb 25 of the bulb 23 which is held in the socket base 8 .
- the socket base 8 is installed in the reflector 5 when the socket base 8 is inserted into the reflector opening 7 of the reflector 7 from the back of the reflector 7 and the mounting pieces 16 a of the mounting legs 16 are fixed to the mounting bosses 9 , which protrude from the edge portion of the reflector opening 7 , by screws 30 that are inserted into the screw insertion holes 16 b of the mounting pieces 16 a . Then, as described above, with the socket base 8 attached to the reflector 5 , a ring-shaped clearance is formed between the cylindrical section 11 of the socket base 8 and the edge of the reflector opening 7 of the reflector 5 , and such a clearance becomes the ring-shaped ventilation hole 31 which provides communication between the inside and outside of the reflector 5 .
- a cap-shaped shade 32 is provided in the reflector 5 . More specifically, the capshaped shade 32 is disposed so as to cover the front end portion of the bulb 23 which is held in the reflector 5 via the socket base 8 such that the direct light from the bulb 23 is not irradiated through the front cover 3 .
- the shade 32 has such a shape, as best seen from FIG. 2, that the front end of a cylindrical section is closed and notched holes 35 are formed in both side portions between the front side portion 33 and a rear end portion 34 .
- the front side portion 33 makes a cap portion
- the rear end portion 34 makes a ring portion
- the right and left notched holes 35 make light passing openings.
- the diameter of the ring portion 34 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the reflector opening 7 of the reflector 5 .
- Mounting legs 36 are provided on the rear end portion (or the ring portion) 34 so as to protrude rearward from portions which are diametrically opposite from each other.
- the rear end portions 36 a of the mounting legs 36 make mounting pieces, and screw insertion holes 36 b are formed in the mounting pieces 36 a.
- the mounting legs 36 of the shade 32 are inserted through the reflector opening 7 of the reflector 5 from the front side of the reflector 5 .
- the mounting pieces 36 a of the mounting legs 36 are provided so as to positionally correspond to the mounting bosses 10 (which protrude from the edge portion of the reflector opening 7 on the rear face of the reflector 5 ) where the ring portion 34 substantially contacts the edge of the reflector opening 7 .
- the mounting pieces 36 a of the amounting legs 36 are bent outward with respect to the other portion of the shade 32 so as to overlap with the rear face of the mounting bosses 10 .
- the light radiated from the filament 24 of the bulb 23 is colored when passing through the colored glove 28 (the light is colored in yellow in the embodiment), passes through notched holes (light passing opening) 35 of the shade 32 , is directed to the reflector 5 , is reflected by the reflector 5 , passes through the front cover 3 and is radiated forward.
- the front end portion of the bulb 23 is covered by the cap portion 33 of the shade 32 , and thus heat can remain in the space covered by the shade 32 .
- the air ventilation hole 31 is formed inside the area which is covered by the shade 32 when viewed from the front, the air outside the reflector 5 easily flows into the space covered by the shade 32 through the air ventilation hole 31 .
- the temperature in the space covered by the shade 32 is prevented from being abnormally increased. Accordingly, the temperature of the bulb 23 does not become abnormally high, and the life of the bulb 23 is prevented from being shortened.
- the air ventilation hole 31 is formed by way of using a difference in shape between the reflector opening 7 , which is provided in the reflector 5 for attaching the socket base 8 , and the socket base 8 . Accordingly, it is not necessary to specially form an air ventilation opening that allows the space covered by the shade 32 to communicate with the outside.
- the headlamp of the present invention is simple in structure and suppresses the increase in the manufacturing cost.
- the air ventilation hole 31 is positioned along the inside of the ring portion 34 of the shade 32 . Accordingly, the air ventilation hole 31 is inconspicuous when the lamp is seen from outside, which makes the appearance of the lamp attractive.
- the structure of the present invention is effective also for a vehicle headlamp that does not have a colored glove, and the present invention has an effect of not shortening the life of the light bulb.
- the present invention is for a vehicle headlamp that includes a lamp body that has a concave portion with its front face opened, a front cover that covers the front opening of the lamp body, a reflector that is tiltably installed in the lamp body, a bulb that is held in the reflector, and a cap-shaped shade that blocks the light emitted directly from the bulb so that the light is not irradiated at least forward; and in the present invention, the reflector has an air ventilation hole which is formed in an area that is on a peripheral edge of the bulb mounting portion of the reflector and is on an inner side, when viewed from the front, of the outer edge of the shade.
- the bulb mounting portion of the reflector is formed with a reflector opening and a socket base which is attached to the reflector with an empty space between the edge of the reflector opening and the socket base, the air ventilation hole is between the peripheral edge of the socket base and the edge of the reflector opening, and the bulb is removably attached to the socket base. Accordingly, it is not necessary to specially form an air ventilation means that allows the space covered by the shade to communicate with the outside. Thus, the lamp is simple in structure, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost.
- the shade has a ring portion that extends in a ring shape at a portion near the bulb mounting portion of the reflector, and the air ventilation hole is formed along, when viewed from the front, the inside of the ring portion. Accordingly, the air ventilation hole inconspicuous from the outside, and the lamp has an attractive appearance.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp and more particularly to a vehicle headlamp that has a cap-shaped shade covering the light bulb.
- 2. Prior Art
- In a vehicle headlamp, in order to block the light directed forward from the light bulb and the light which is difficult to control and becomes glare light, a cap-shaped shade is employed. The cap-shaped shade is provided so as to cover the front end portion of the light bulb.
- As well known, the light bulb used in a vehicle headlamp becomes considerably high temperature when it is lit. The heat generated when the lamp is on is normally released by convection, radiation and the like. However, when the cap-shaped shade is used and the front end portion of the bulb is covered by shade, the heat tends to remain in an area covered by the shade, and the stored heat increases the temperature of the bulb even further. When the temperature of the light bulb becomes too high, the life of the bulb is shortened.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp that secures a ventilation between an area covered by the cap-shaped shade inside the reflector and the outside of the reflector, thus preventing the heat from being trapped in the area covered by the cap-shaped shade.
- The above object is accomplished by a unique structure of the present for a vehicle headlamp that comprises: a lamp body which has a concave portion with its front face opened, a front cover which covers the front opening of the lamp body, a reflector which is tiltably installed in the lamp body, a bulb which is supported by the reflector, and a capshaped shade which blocks the light emitted directly from the bulb so that the bulb light is not directly irradiated at least forward; and in the present invention, the reflector has an air ventilation hole which is formed in an area that is on a peripheral edge of a bulb mounting portion of the reflector and is on an inner side, when viewed from the front, of the outer edge of the shade.
- With this structure, heat inside the cap-shaped shade is released to the outside of the reflector through the air ventilation hole which is formed so as to correspond to the inside area of the cap-shaped shade. Heat is thus not trapped inside the cap-shaped shade, the temperature of the bulb is prevented from becoming too high (or higher than required), and the life of the bulb is not shortened by the heat inside the cap-shaped shade.
- FIG. 1 shows in cross-section the vehicle headlamp according to one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main portion of the vehicle headlamp;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main portion;
- FIG. 4 is a rear view of the main portion;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4; and
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4.
- Embodiments of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below and shown in the drawings, the present invention is applied to an auxiliary headlamp for an automobile such as a fog lamp.
- The
vehicle headlamp 1 is comprised of alamp body 2, atranslucent front cover 3, and areflector 5. Thelamp body 2 has a concave area with its front face opened. Alamp space 4 is defined by thelamp body 2 and thetranslucent front cover 3 that covers the front opening of thelamp body 2, and thereflector 5 is installed in thelamp space 4 in a tiltable manner. - The
reflector 5 includes abulb mounting portion 6 that is at substantially the center of the rear portion of thereflector 5. Thebulb mounting portion 6 is comprised of a substantially circular reflector opening 7, which is formed in thereflector 5, and asocket base 8, which is attached to thereflector 5 so as to cover the reflector opening 7 except for a peripheral area of theopening 7. - At positions along the edge of the circular reflector opening7 on the rear face of the
reflector 5, two pairs ofmounting bosses - The
socket base 8 includes acylindrical section 11, which is formed by pressing a metal sheet into a cylindrical shape, and apressing spring 12, which is attached to thiscylindrical section 11. Thecylindrical section 11 has a length that is short in the axial direction than its diameter. Therear end portion 11 a of thecylindrical section 11 has a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of afront end portion 11 b, which is in front of therear end portion 11 a. Afront portion 13 is formed so as to cover the entire front face of thecylindrical section 11, and a substantiallyrectangular insertion hole 13 a is formed in thisfront portion 13. At opposed positions which are continuous to thefront portion 13 of thefront end portion 11 b of thecylindrical section 11, positioningprotrusions front end portion 11 b of thecylindrical section 11 which are close to therear end portion 11 a, a plurality ofengagement openings 15 are formed at certain intervals in the circumferential direction. - From portions which are positioned on opposite sides of the rear end of the
cylindrical section 11, mountinglegs 16 extend so as to protrude rearward. Rear end portions of themounting legs 16 are bent in opposite directions (or bent outward) so as to form mountingpieces 16 a. In themounting pieces 16 a,screw insertion holes 16 b are formed. - Also, at one of two positions which are diametrically opposite and are other than the
mounting legs 16 in the rear end of thecylindrical section 11, anengagement piece 17 is provided so as to protrude rearward; and at another one of such positions, aspring supporter 18 is formed. - The
rear end portion 17 a of theengagement piece 17 is bent so as to extend along the substantially circumferential direction. Theengagement piece 17 thus forms an L-shape. An engagementconcave portion 17 b is formed on the front edge of therear end portion 17 a. - The
pressing spring 12 is formed by a wire spring, and two pressingarms intermediate portion 21 of thepressing spring 12 and extend in the same direction. The tip end of thepressing ann 19 has anengagement arm 22 that is substantially in a V-shape with respect to thepressing arm 19. Theintermediate portion 21 of thepressing spring 12 is attached to the root area of thespring supporter 18 in the inner surface of thecylindrical section 11, and thespring supporter 18 is bent so as to make a contact with an inner side of thecylindrical section 11. Thepressing spring 12 is, at itsintermediate portion 21, thus rotatably supported by thespring supporter 18. - A
bulb 23 is comprised of aglass bulb 25 having afilament 24 inside and abase portion 26; and aflange 27 which is substantially circular when viewed from the longitudinal direction of thebulb 23 protrudes outwardly between theglass bulb 25 and thebase portion 26. At diametrically opposite positions on its outer edge, theflange 27 has engagement notches 27 a and 27 b. - The
bulb 23 is attached to the socket based 8. In particular, with thepressing spring 12 rotated rearward (shown in FIG. 2), theglass bulb 25 of thebulb 23 is inserted forward through theinsertion hole 13 a formed in thefront portion 13 of thesocket base 8. At this point, since the engagement notches 27 a and 27 b of thebulb 23 are aligned with thepositioning protrusions socket base 8, theglass bulb 25 protrudes forward from thefront portion 13. Theflange 27 is brought to contact with the rear face of thefront portion 13 of thesocket base 8 with theengagement notches positioning protrusions bulb 23 by thesocket base 8. Then, thepressing spring 12 is rotated forward such that the front ends of the two pressingarms base portion 26 on the rear surface of theflange 27 of thebulb 23. Further, a portion which is closer to the tip end of theengagement arm 22 is locked at the engagementconcave portion 17 b of theengagement piece 17 of thesocket base 8 while bending theengagement arm 22 forward (see FIGS. 3 and 4). As a result, thepressing arms flange 27 of thebulb 23, and thebulb 23 is supported or held by thesocket base 8. - A
glove 28, which is colored, is held by thesocket base 8. Thecolored glove 28 is formed in a substantially cylindrical form using a colored-transparent material. Therear end portion 28 a of thecolored glove 28 is formed so that its diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of thefront side portion 28 b. The diameter of the portion (intermediate portion) 28 c between therear end portion 28 a and thefront side portion 28 b gradually changes (so as to become larger) from thefront side portion 28 b toward therear end portion 28 a. Thevehicle headlamp 1 of the shown embodiment is a fog lamp for an automobile as described above, and thus thecolored glove 28 is yellow colored-transparent. Accordingly, when the present invention is applied to a lamp other than a fog lamp, thecolored glove 28 is not necessary; and even when thecolored glove 28 is necessary, it may be colored-transparent in a color other than yellow. In some cases, the glove is not colored-transparent, and a membrane that has a permeability such as an infrared permeable membrane can be formed in the glove. - The colored
glove 28 is attached to thesocket base 8 using atightening ring 29. The tighteningring 29 is formed from a metal plate and in a cylindrical shape whose length is shorter in the axial direction than in the diametrical direction. Thefront end portion 29 a is tapered so that the diameter gradually becomes smaller toward the front end. - The internal diameter of a portion of the tightening
ring 29 except for thefront portion 29 a is equal to the external diameter of therear end portion 28 a of thecolored glove 28. The inner face of thefront end portion 29 a of the tighteningring 29 is shaped so that it fits an outer face of theintermediate portion 28 c of thecolored glove 28. - The tightening
ring 29 is fitted on thecolored glove 28 from the front side of thecolored glove 28 so that thefront end portion 29 a comes into contact with theintermediate portion 28 c of thecolored glove 28. In this state, the tighteningring 29 is externally fitted on thecylindrical section 11 of thesocket base 8. Accordingly, with the rear end of thecolored glove 28 being in contact with the front face of thefront portion 13 of thecylindrical section 11 of thesocket base 8, the rear end edge of the tighteningring 29 is positioned so as to cover most of theengagement openings 15 of thecylindrical section 11. Then, theportions 29 b which are facing theengagement openings 15 on the rear end edge of the tighteningring 29 are swaged so as to be pushed into theengagement openings 15. The tighteningring 29 is thus attached to thesocket base 8, and thecolored glove 28 is held by thesocket base 8 by the tighteningring 29. Thecolored glove 28 is positioned so as to surround the periphery of theglass bulb 25 of thebulb 23 which is held in thesocket base 8. - The
socket base 8 is installed in thereflector 5 when thesocket base 8 is inserted into thereflector opening 7 of thereflector 7 from the back of thereflector 7 and the mountingpieces 16 a of the mountinglegs 16 are fixed to the mountingbosses 9, which protrude from the edge portion of thereflector opening 7, byscrews 30 that are inserted into the screw insertion holes 16 b of the mountingpieces 16 a. Then, as described above, with thesocket base 8 attached to thereflector 5, a ring-shaped clearance is formed between thecylindrical section 11 of thesocket base 8 and the edge of thereflector opening 7 of thereflector 5, and such a clearance becomes the ring-shapedventilation hole 31 which provides communication between the inside and outside of thereflector 5. - A cap-shaped
shade 32 is provided in thereflector 5. More specifically, thecapshaped shade 32 is disposed so as to cover the front end portion of thebulb 23 which is held in thereflector 5 via thesocket base 8 such that the direct light from thebulb 23 is not irradiated through thefront cover 3. Theshade 32 has such a shape, as best seen from FIG. 2, that the front end of a cylindrical section is closed and notchedholes 35 are formed in both side portions between thefront side portion 33 and arear end portion 34. Thefront side portion 33 makes a cap portion, therear end portion 34 makes a ring portion, and the right and left notchedholes 35 make light passing openings. The diameter of thering portion 34 is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of thereflector opening 7 of thereflector 5. Mountinglegs 36 are provided on the rear end portion (or the ring portion) 34 so as to protrude rearward from portions which are diametrically opposite from each other. Therear end portions 36 a of the mountinglegs 36 make mounting pieces, and screw insertion holes 36 b are formed in the mountingpieces 36 a. - The mounting
legs 36 of theshade 32 are inserted through thereflector opening 7 of thereflector 5 from the front side of thereflector 5. The mountingpieces 36 a of the mountinglegs 36 are provided so as to positionally correspond to the mounting bosses 10 (which protrude from the edge portion of thereflector opening 7 on the rear face of the reflector 5) where thering portion 34 substantially contacts the edge of thereflector opening 7. Then, the mountingpieces 36 a of the amountinglegs 36 are bent outward with respect to the other portion of theshade 32 so as to overlap with the rear face of the mountingbosses 10. Then, screws 37 are inserted into the mountingbosses 10 through the screw insertion holes 36 b of the mountingpieces 16 a and fixed to the mountingbosses 10. Theshade 32 is thus attached to thereflector 5, and thecap portion 33 of theshade 32 is positioned so as to cover the front end portion of thebulb 23. - In the
above vehicle headlamp 1, the light radiated from thefilament 24 of thebulb 23 is colored when passing through the colored glove 28 (the light is colored in yellow in the embodiment), passes through notched holes (light passing opening) 35 of theshade 32, is directed to thereflector 5, is reflected by thereflector 5, passes through thefront cover 3 and is radiated forward. In thevehicle headlamp 1, the front end portion of thebulb 23 is covered by thecap portion 33 of theshade 32, and thus heat can remain in the space covered by theshade 32. However, since theair ventilation hole 31 is formed inside the area which is covered by theshade 32 when viewed from the front, the air outside thereflector 5 easily flows into the space covered by theshade 32 through theair ventilation hole 31. As a result, the temperature in the space covered by theshade 32 is prevented from being abnormally increased. Accordingly, the temperature of thebulb 23 does not become abnormally high, and the life of thebulb 23 is prevented from being shortened. - In addition, the
air ventilation hole 31 is formed by way of using a difference in shape between thereflector opening 7, which is provided in thereflector 5 for attaching thesocket base 8, and thesocket base 8. Accordingly, it is not necessary to specially form an air ventilation opening that allows the space covered by theshade 32 to communicate with the outside. Thus, the headlamp of the present invention is simple in structure and suppresses the increase in the manufacturing cost. - The
air ventilation hole 31 is positioned along the inside of thering portion 34 of theshade 32. Accordingly, theair ventilation hole 31 is inconspicuous when the lamp is seen from outside, which makes the appearance of the lamp attractive. - When the
colored glove 28 that surrounds thebulb 23 is provided as in theabove vehicle headlamp 1, heat tends to remain more inside thecolored glove 28; and thus theair ventilation hole 31 is further effective and can let the heated air out of the lamp body. Needless to say, the structure of the present invention is effective also for a vehicle headlamp that does not have a colored glove, and the present invention has an effect of not shortening the life of the light bulb. - It should be understood that the form and the structure of each element shown in the above embodiment are merely examples of embodying the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention must not be construed in a limited manner.
- As is clear from the above, the present invention is for a vehicle headlamp that includes a lamp body that has a concave portion with its front face opened, a front cover that covers the front opening of the lamp body, a reflector that is tiltably installed in the lamp body, a bulb that is held in the reflector, and a cap-shaped shade that blocks the light emitted directly from the bulb so that the light is not irradiated at least forward; and in the present invention, the reflector has an air ventilation hole which is formed in an area that is on a peripheral edge of the bulb mounting portion of the reflector and is on an inner side, when viewed from the front, of the outer edge of the shade.
- Accordingly, heat inside the cap-shaped shade can easily go out to the outside of the reflector through the air ventilation hole which is formed so as to correspond to the inside area of the cap-shaped shade. The heat is thus prevented from being trapped inside the cap-shaped shade, and the temperature of the bulb is prevented from becoming too high or higher than required; as a result, the life of the bulb is prevented from being shortened.
- Furthermore, in the present invention, the bulb mounting portion of the reflector is formed with a reflector opening and a socket base which is attached to the reflector with an empty space between the edge of the reflector opening and the socket base, the air ventilation hole is between the peripheral edge of the socket base and the edge of the reflector opening, and the bulb is removably attached to the socket base. Accordingly, it is not necessary to specially form an air ventilation means that allows the space covered by the shade to communicate with the outside. Thus, the lamp is simple in structure, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost.
- Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the shade has a ring portion that extends in a ring shape at a portion near the bulb mounting portion of the reflector, and the air ventilation hole is formed along, when viewed from the front, the inside of the ring portion. Accordingly, the air ventilation hole inconspicuous from the outside, and the lamp has an attractive appearance.
Claims (4)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002080429A JP4043818B2 (en) | 2002-03-22 | 2002-03-22 | Vehicle headlamp |
JP2002-080429 | 2002-03-22 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030179589A1 true US20030179589A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 |
US6764211B2 US6764211B2 (en) | 2004-07-20 |
Family
ID=28035703
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/383,325 Expired - Fee Related US6764211B2 (en) | 2002-03-22 | 2003-03-07 | Vehicle headlamp |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6764211B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4043818B2 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008022115A2 (en) * | 2006-08-14 | 2008-02-21 | Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V. | Headlamp assemblies having reduced operating temperatures |
US7484863B1 (en) * | 2006-11-16 | 2009-02-03 | Truman Aubrey | Lighting fixture |
GB2481036B (en) * | 2010-06-09 | 2015-12-02 | Gm Global Tech Operations Inc | A vehicle light and a vehicle including at least one vehicle light |
US20160252242A1 (en) * | 2013-10-07 | 2016-09-01 | Sabic Global Technoligies B.V. | Heat distributing lamp shield |
US20180163944A1 (en) * | 2016-12-14 | 2018-06-14 | KOMEMTEC Co., Ltd. | Air permeable cap |
US20230191983A1 (en) * | 2021-12-16 | 2023-06-22 | Zkw Group Gmbh | Impact-Absorbing Vehicle Headlamp System |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109937324B (en) * | 2016-11-09 | 2021-10-15 | 亮锐控股有限公司 | Lighting arrangement with replaceable lighting cap |
US10415787B2 (en) * | 2018-01-11 | 2019-09-17 | Osram Sylvania Inc. | Vehicle LED lamp having recirculating air channels |
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US5993035A (en) * | 1998-03-09 | 1999-11-30 | Trans Technology Engineered Components, Llc | Combined light shield and heat shield for headlight |
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JP3247569B2 (en) | 1995-02-15 | 2002-01-15 | 株式会社小糸製作所 | Vehicle lighting |
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2002
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-
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US4931912A (en) * | 1988-04-18 | 1990-06-05 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Square headlamp for automobile |
US5647659A (en) * | 1994-04-27 | 1997-07-15 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicular headlamp having improved orthogonal conversion gear mechanism |
US6045248A (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 2000-04-04 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicular lamp |
US6238072B1 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2001-05-29 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicle lamp |
US5993035A (en) * | 1998-03-09 | 1999-11-30 | Trans Technology Engineered Components, Llc | Combined light shield and heat shield for headlight |
US6497507B1 (en) * | 1998-03-31 | 2002-12-24 | Antje Weber | Headlight or light |
US6513960B2 (en) * | 2000-04-28 | 2003-02-04 | Valeo Vision | Lighting or signaling device for a vehicle, with a reinforced casing |
US6595672B2 (en) * | 2001-05-29 | 2003-07-22 | Denso Corporation | Vehicle headlight discharge lamp |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008022115A2 (en) * | 2006-08-14 | 2008-02-21 | Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V. | Headlamp assemblies having reduced operating temperatures |
WO2008022115A3 (en) * | 2006-08-14 | 2008-05-15 | Gen Electric | Headlamp assemblies having reduced operating temperatures |
US7484863B1 (en) * | 2006-11-16 | 2009-02-03 | Truman Aubrey | Lighting fixture |
US7510306B1 (en) * | 2006-11-16 | 2009-03-31 | Truman Aubrey | Ventilated socket assembly for a light fixture |
GB2481036B (en) * | 2010-06-09 | 2015-12-02 | Gm Global Tech Operations Inc | A vehicle light and a vehicle including at least one vehicle light |
US20160252242A1 (en) * | 2013-10-07 | 2016-09-01 | Sabic Global Technoligies B.V. | Heat distributing lamp shield |
US9964298B2 (en) * | 2013-10-07 | 2018-05-08 | Sabic Global Technologies B.V. | Heat distributing lamp shield |
US20180163944A1 (en) * | 2016-12-14 | 2018-06-14 | KOMEMTEC Co., Ltd. | Air permeable cap |
US20230191983A1 (en) * | 2021-12-16 | 2023-06-22 | Zkw Group Gmbh | Impact-Absorbing Vehicle Headlamp System |
US11745640B2 (en) * | 2021-12-16 | 2023-09-05 | Zkw Group Gmbh | Impact-absorbing vehicle headlamp system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2003281930A (en) | 2003-10-03 |
US6764211B2 (en) | 2004-07-20 |
JP4043818B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 |
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